About Landscape Better
Landscape Better is a respected firm that uses its rich history of plant knowledge, designer landscapes, drainage solutions, masonry techniques and foresight to build practical, beautiful and useful spaces. We are successful on each project because we listen, and we provide time tested solutions each challenge through completion. Our sustainable landscapes are designed and constructed with generations in mind.
Our goals as a company are rock solid. We will plant trees and shrubs with space to grow. We deliver 100% satisfaction on each job. We support ourselves, our communities sustainable efforts, and the good of humankind.
Great leadership and a positive work environment enable advancements to flow through our companies veins. We accept all challenges, reward our teams for success and learn every day how we can always improve. We will build and maintain the best landscaped properties across America.
Our founder, Judd Jason Mandell, knows landscaping, and rocks. He really loves rocks. Landscaping has been his lifework as well as what he studied and dreamed of. His wealth of knowledge from sheer experience and trial and error is vast. He puts his heart and head into every project. He inspires confidence in his crews and develops their abilities through teaching and mentoring. He began learning landscape design and basic construction at just 13 years of age. He worked and received an education from Cook College, Rutgers University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Planning and Design. He studied Landscape Architecture and honed in on his artistic hands and skills. He continued to gain field experience engineering large scale drainage easements, living through landscape do's and don’ts, and really learning the proper construction codes and practices. His education continued in and out of classrooms. He received a grant from the Dodge Foundation to attend The Cloud Institute and is now certified to ‘Educate for Sustainability’. He spent time mastering the art of decorative concrete under the auspices of an Arizona artisan that propelled his broadening scope of talents to include Sculptures, and 3-D murals. His mastery of stone design and the art of the landscape combined with an innate ability to be resourceful provided thousands of clients with exactly what they wanted, a living, lasting, and beautiful outdoors to enjoy.
Travels throughout North and Central America provided an array of inspiration. A fondness for nature and all it's glory drew him to National parks, historic trails, landmarks of interest and many unbeaten paths. His fluency in Spanish and his understanding of the cultures strengths and struggles allowed for easier immersion when in those regions. Judd garnered a deep appreciation for everlasting stone work, indigenous plantings in their natural settings and specialized artistry. A night with a guia’ under a Mayan Temple at Tikal in Guatemala enriched him. Navigating the jungles of Belize and canoeing it's tributaries to the amazing coral reef of the Caribbean Sea exhilarated him. Hiking lengths of the Appalachian trail with a newly rescued dog bred resolve. Experiences shape his view of our place on Earth and he wants to share awareness and information to inspire thought and action. He developed and taught educational programs to teach 4th graders to ‘Recognize and Protect their Commons’ and had each of them create a pledge to do something about it. He spent time with an Elementary school for Earth Day promoting recycling responsibility, demonstrating his eco-artistry techniques and encouraging them to make wiser choices. Judd has a balance of education, exposure, efficient problem solving skills and a desire to motivate those around him to do their best.
Judd's artwork can be found at Judd Jason Artistry.
